Steineded How sad is this?

Tedfoldol everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Tayyab Torres Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

GManfred "Dodge City" is a real good early 'A' western, at a time when they were usually second feature programmers. In the same year came "Stagecoach", but this one was in color, at a time when color features were just coming to prominence. The director was Michael Curtiz, who was four years away from "Casablanca". And he doesn't disappoint in this effort.A lot of reviewers have already weighed in but I just wanted to add that "Dodge City" recalls an earlier, more innocent era when you often went to the movies as a family and could watch movies suitable for the occasion. Now, of course, everything is R rated and you have to leave the little ones home.Errol Flynn was the good guy and Olivia DeHavilland was 'the girl'. The bad guys were Bruce Cabot (never trust Bruce Cabot) and Victor Jory. Sprinkled in were several identifiable character actors. Not a lot to think about here, just wait for the bad guys to get their comeuppance and applaud at the end. Hardly any applause anymore at the end of movies, but then most contemporary movies aren't worth the trouble.

romanorum1 The film shows the supposed establishment of Dodge City in 1866 by Colonel Dodge (Henry O'Neill), a railroad magnate. Within the thirteenth minute of the movie we are fast-forwarded to 1872. The screen caption reads that Dodge is "Longhorn cattle center of the world and wide-open Babylon of the American frontier . . . packed with settlers, thieves, and gunmen." Also, "Dodge City . . . rolling in wealth from the great Texas trial- herds . . . the town that knew no ethics but cash and killing." There is a montage of street fighting, gambling, a hanging, gun-fights, and cattle. What had happened was that the railroad transformed a sleepy hamlet into a boom town that brought in much lawlessness. Jeff Surrett (Bruce Cabot), a cheating cattle-dealer, has cattleman Matt Cole (John Litel) murdered by henchman Yancy (Victor Jory) in cold blood at his rowdy place, "The Gay Lady Saloon." There Ruby Gilman (Ann Sheridan) is a singer and dancer. Now Surrett runs the town by kicking out any sheriff without reprisal. Enter Wade Hatton (Errol Flynn), ex- confederate Irish immigrant who formerly worked with Colonel Dodge by supplying his workers with fresh Buffalo meat. Hatton is now a trail boss. At 22 minutes we are finally introduced to Olivia de Havilland (Abbie Irving), who shares a covered wagon with her boisterous and obnoxious brother, Lee Irving. The rambunctious Lee does not last long as he causes a cattle stampede for no reason and gets trampled to death. Abbie blames Wade, who is totally innocent. Wade has two sidekicks: Rusty (Alan Hale) and Tex (Guinn "Big Boy" Williams).After a series of unlawful (and violent) events, Wade reluctantly becomes sheriff (one hour into the movie) and begins to clean things up. The wearing of guns is restricted as the jails fill up with rowdies. As the city continues to develop, Surrett tries unsuccessfully to get Wade into his corner. Meanwhile the love interest between Wade and Abbie develops. Then the murder of newspaper editor Joe Clemens (Frank McHugh) brings the pot to a boil. A gunfight on a speeding train on fire while bad guys ride on horses alongside closes the movie.There is symbolism here, like the opening shot of a stagecoach trying unsuccessfully to keep up with a fast-moving "iron horse." The town growth shows the changing West after the Civil War. There are various errors in the film, though. For one fact, the city was founded in 1871, not 1866. And it was named after Fort Dodge. Matt Cole's gravestone says he died on 6 June 1875, and yet, later in the film a newspaper headline clearly reads 1 July 1872. Despite its deficiencies the feature is well-crafted by Michael Curtiz while Sol Polito's Cinematography is beautifully accomplished. Yakima Canutt is one of the stuntmen. In a nutshell, the movie is entertaining and nicely acted, and the montages summarize events nicely. A famous scene, occurring at the 48th minute, is the mother of all barroom brawls for those who like this sort of thing. Lasting almost five minutes, it involves Union and Confederate sympathizers. The latter seems to be the "good guys" even though the former started the disturbance. By the way, it must be noticeable that Hollywood's earlier movies did tend to view the Confederacy with empathy, and ex-Southern soldiers as well- meaning. If you do not believe this writer, see "Birth of a Nation" (1915), "The General" (1927), "Gone with the Wind" (1939), "Santa Fe Trail" (1940), or "Shane" (1953). Ann Sheridan is third-billed as the dance-hall queen, and yet has only four scenes (of which two are brief). In the others she sings several numbers, including "Little Brown Jug." Errol Flynn, still in his heyday as a popular actor, is acceptable in his first western. He is both dashing and unruffled, although he is also a bit too urbane and well-scrubbed. Second-billed Bruce Cabot is appropriate as the villainous Surrett. Alan Hale as Rusty and Guinn "Big Boy" Williams as Tex are both very good too. "Dodge City" is one of the oldest western movies filmed in Technicolor that still survives.

Spikeopath "Dodge City, Kansas - 1872. Longhorn cattle center of the world and wide-open Babylon of the American frontier - packed with settlers, thieves and gunmen"."Dodge City... rolling in wealth from the great Texas trail-herds... the town that knew no ethics but cash and killing".Enter trail boss Wade Hatton, cunningly disguised as a dashing Errol Flynn........Dodge City, an all action Western from start to finish, finds Errol Flynn {in his first Western outing} on tip top form. Based around the story of Wyatt Earp, Michael Curtiz's expensively assembled film charms as much today as it did to audiences back in 1939. All the genre staples are holding the piece together, dastardly villains, pretty gals, wagon train, cattle drive, iron horse, Civil War, shoot outs, fist fights and of course an heroic Sheriff. All neatly folded by the astute and impressive Curtiz. Aided by Sol Polito's fluid Technicolor enhanced photography, and Max Steiner's breezy score, Curtiz's set pieces shine as much as they enthral. A burning runaway train and the finest saloon brawl in cinema are the stand outs, but there are many other high points on which to hang the hat of praise.Very much a male dominated film, it's with the ladies that Dodge City fails to reach greater heights. Olivia de Havilland, who is always a feast for the eyes in Technicolor, disliked her role as Abbie Irving, and it's not hard to see why. There is not much for her to get her teeth into, it's a simple role that demands nothing other than saying the lines and to look pretty. Ann Sheridan as Ruby Gilman gets the more sparky role, but she sadly doesn't get that much screen time. Which is a shame because what little there is of Sheridan is really rather great.Those problems aside, it's with the guys that Dodge City is rightly remembered. Flynn attacks the role of Hatton with gusto and a glint in his eye. When he straps on the Sheriff badge for the first time it's akin to Clark Kent shredding his suit to become Superman. Yes it's that exciting. Bruce Cabot and Victor Jory are growly and great villains, while comedy relief comes in the fine form of side-kickers Alan Hale and Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams. Dodge City sets out to entertain, and entertain it does. In a year that saw other notable and lauded Westerns also released {Stagecoach, Jesse James and Destry Rides Again} give credit where credit is due, Dodge City deserves its place amongst those offerings. Most assuredly so as well. 8/10

wes-connors After the end of the United States Civil War, the recovering nation turns to the building of the unsettled west. Handsome young Irish immigrant Errol Flynn (as Wade Hatton) arrives in Dodge City, Kansas, to help. But, cattleman Flynn finds the wealthy city is controlled by lawless Bruce Cabot (as Jeff Surrett), an old enemy. Due to Mr. Cabot's presence, a young boy is horrifically killed during one of the town's frequent shoot-ups; so, Flynn decides accept a Sheriff's position, and rid the town of its rats.Beautiful Olivia de Havilland (as Abbie Irving) provides romantic interest, although Flynn gets off on the wrong foot by helping cause the death of her brother (William Lundigan). Saloon singer Ann Sheridan (as Ruby Gilman) and brawling Guinn "Big Boy" Williams (as Tex Baird) are among the others making fine impressions, in this richly produced Warner Brothers western. The direction (Michael Curtiz) and Technicolor cinematography (Sol Polito) combine for some outstanding scenes and images.******** Dodge City (4/1/39) Michael Curtiz ~ Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Bruce Cabot, Ann Sheridan